❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding fishing offences, including those related to the demersal fishing ban. The response details the number and types of offences, penalties, and total fines issued.
AnsweredQoN 1772Legislative Assembly
Asked
18 February 2026
Member
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to fishing related offences over the past 12 months, and I ask : (a) How many fishing-related offences have occurred across the State over the past 12 months; (b) Can a breakdown of the type of offences be provided; (c) Since the Demersal fishing ban was implemented, how many offences have occurred relating to illegal fishing of demersal species; (d) What is the penalty for breaches mentioned in (c); and (e) What is the total sum of the penalties handed out in (c)?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 March 2026
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West
Response time
9 days
(a) From 18 February 2025 to 18 February 2026 DPIRD detected 3,187 suspected fishing offences.
(b) A breakdown of the 5 main types of offences is as follows:
· 1,110 were for undersize fish
· 618 offences were for no licence, or failing to adhere to licence conditions
· 594 offences were for exceeding the bag limit
· 294 offences were for fishing in closed waters
· 127 offences were for using illegal fishing gear.
(c) 25, from 16 December 2025 to 18 February 2026.
(d) The penalties applicable to these 25 offences range from a formal recorded warning with no monetary penalty to monetary fines of $200 and $400.
(e) The total sum of penalties imposed for the 25 offences is $3,400.
(b) A breakdown of the 5 main types of offences is as follows:
· 1,110 were for undersize fish
· 618 offences were for no licence, or failing to adhere to licence conditions
· 594 offences were for exceeding the bag limit
· 294 offences were for fishing in closed waters
· 127 offences were for using illegal fishing gear.
(c) 25, from 16 December 2025 to 18 February 2026.
(d) The penalties applicable to these 25 offences range from a formal recorded warning with no monetary penalty to monetary fines of $200 and $400.
(e) The total sum of penalties imposed for the 25 offences is $3,400.
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